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You are here because you want music.
I can offer music.
I suppose I could entertain you.
But you want something greater;
Something that speaks to your heart.
Something ecstatic and sacred.
You want something more real than real.
Am I right?
I won't sing putrid love songs to an imaginary girl.
I'm talking to YOU, to your inner self.
So, since you are intrigued by innovative ideas about music and unprecedented approach to sitar, love beauty, heroism, and communion with the Divine, strive for vastness of spirit and profundity of meditative reflection on existence, and you crave a romantic mysticism and the surrender to the dimensions of the spiritual and sensual, then by all means, welcome!
You've come to the right place.
- 2009: and beyond
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Check out my NEW page on tunecore!
www.tunecore.come/music/renegadesufi
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2009 has so far an eventful year.
As mentioned in the blogs, I've collaborated with such artists as DJ Celt Islam (www.myspace.com/celtislam), Ilja Stankovic (http://www.youtube.com/balkanmusiccenter http://www.myspace.com/gypsygroovz), and Ren Udae (www.thegravaton.com). In addition to contributing sitar tracks, I'm also venturing into the realm of producing electronica, downtempo, dub, drum & bass, etc. Some of the material is receiving radio airplay in England on BBC Radio.
Nascente recently released THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO BUDDHA LOUNGE, a compilation of various artists. This three CD set is part of the Buddha Bar compilations that established the world of multicultural grooves. One of the finest tracks on the complialtion is "Fakir" by Celt Islam Soundsystem. This track features me on sitar, credited as a co writer. For a review of the CD, go to http://www.mraentertainment.com/index.php?IID=8152&func=itemview&module=pncommerce
Production on my new CD is making great progress. The sitar will still be the dominant voice in the music, but other things will be in the works as well. The new music will be available here when its finished (including music that will not be on the upcoming CD, and will ONLY be available as downloads). The music promises to explore a new element of the spiritual / mystic Sufi tradition, and to build on what my sitar work, compositions and improvisations have done in the past. The CD release date will probably be early in 2010.
My recent performances in the Milwaukee / Chicago area were a success; and were very well received. I had some brilliant musicians with me, including Roman Ediresinghe, Glenn Asch, and Carlos Adame.
I'm also presently negotiating with venues and festival producers to set up tours for 2010. So far, tentative dates are being worked out in the northwest, midwest, and New York areas, and in England, Europe, and Dubai. I'd like to concentrating on festivals; especially sacred music, Sufi, and jazz festivals (although I'm open for almost anything)
Check out these radio interviews:http://www.radioislam.com/_asx/WCEV1450/2008-07-06-1450.asx
(the interview starts about 38 minutes into the show, but the first part is well worth listening to).
My interview with Mary Barlin of WMSE-FM in Milwaukee, WI, a:http://www.wmse.org/archive/new.php?dow=Sat&hour=180
(Look for the listing for 2008-06-28, and click download or stream. The interview starts about fifteen minutes into the show and lasts almost three hours).Some time ago, I did the soundtrack of an independent film called RAM (dir. Edwin Porres): a sci-fi short about a robot that dreams its human. Very "Philip K. Dick!" The music was a slight departure. I did not play sitar, but composed electronic music for the film. I also recorded two ragas for the movie "Sukoon" directed by film maker and artist Fareen Butt, sitar tracks to a recording by nasheed singer Khaleel Muhammad's new UK single "Blessed Mustapha". My appearance playing sitar in Sylvana Viene's "Beyond Baklava" was recently included in a promotional short narrated by Patricia Neal. (http://utopianvision.co.uk/bollywood/videos/?v=jNvXg5Jw0c8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNvXg5Jw0c8)
I also began my "Magnum Opus": a seven part suite based on the Night Journey and Miraj of the Prophet Muhammad (sas). In addition to my sitar work, areas for improvisation and composed parts for a variety of instruments will appear.
Renegade Sufi was recently reviewed on "The Lounge": a TV show produced by Just Say Go Films Inc. To see it, go to http://www.justsaygofilms.com/movies/lounge_001.htmlCome back to this website again. Something is always happening.
And I like having you here!
- Dawoud's upcoming performances:
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Happy New Year! May 2010 be a great year!
- News from the world of Dawoud
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Visit Dawoud's myspace page! (C'mon, you didn't think I didn't have one, did you?)On Sunday, December 14th, Dawoud joined master pianist, improviser, and composer David Cieri in the recording studio at WNYC-FM, New York, to conribute music for his upcoming release.Master flautist and composer Diana Wayburn 's Ostinato And... (which Dawoud played sitar on several tracks) has been selected by AllAboutJazz-New York magazine as a "Best New Release 2008" in their January 2009 issue.On Tuesday, September 11th, Dawoud performed as a featured soloist with the Open Music Ensemble in a concert at Trinity Church in New York City, commemorating the 9/11/01 tragedy. The video is available for download at http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/calendar/index.php?event_id=40548
Nascente recently released THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO BUDDHA LOUNGE, a compilation of various artists. This three CD set is part of the Buddha Bar compilations that established the world of multicultural grooves. One of the finest tracks on the complialtion is "Fakir" by Celt Islam Soundsystem. This track features Dawoud on sitar, who is credited as a co writer. For a review of the CD, go to http://www.mraentertainment.com/index.php?IID=8152&func=itemview&module=pncommerce
BEYOND BAKLAVA: THE FAIRY TALE STORY OF SYLVIA'S BAKLAVAwith Patricia Neal, Lady Arlene Kieta, Philip Langner, Jann Castor, Peter Rosenblatt, Harold Appel, Dawoud(composer, and appearing as himself) and Silvana Vienne, was invited to have its World Premiere at the International Panorama of Independent Film in Greece the week of September 7, 2007. Here is the website: www.independent.grLady in the Shoe Productions is at work upon a novel and full length motion picture. Producer, director, author Kalima Lewis has asked Dawoud to compose the music for the film, and co-edit the book. Details as they unfold.
Dawoud recently accepted a commission to contribute sitar tracks to the single "Blessed Mustapha" by Khalil Muhammad! Visit http://www.myspace.com/khaleelmuhammadlive and http://www.khaleelmuhammad.com/.
Work on Dawoud's next CD is coming along well. Y'all will be in for a real treat when it comes out!
Dawoud also began work on a seven part suite based on the Night Journey and Miraj of the Prophet Muhammad (sas). Dawoud got the idea when he realized a corrolation between the "Isra wa Miraj (from the biography of the Prophet Muhammad [sas] when he left his body, went to Jerusalem, and ascended to the seven levels of heaven) and the chakras of the human body. Each movement will represent one of the levels fo heaven, and be musically designed to stimulate the corrosponding chakra (or Latif i Sitta: the Sufi equivolent of the chakras). Dawoud's sitar will be prominently featured throughout; but other instrumentation will be used, and many parts of the suite will be basis for improvisations. Currently in the research phase, the project promises to be Dawoud's "Magnum Opus".
Last November, Dawoud finished the soundtrack for a film by independent director Fareen Butt. More details to come.
Andother project Dawoud was involved in was a soundtrack of an independent film called RAM (dir. Edwin Porres): a sci-fi short about a robot that dreams its human. Very "Philip K. Dick!"
Dawoud also finished the music he contributed to a film documentary on the life of Omar Khayyam. The film, produced and directed by Majid Beenteha, is scheduled for release next year.
Renegade Sufi was recently reviewed on "The Lounge": a TV show produced by Just Say Go Films Inc. To see it, go to http://www.justsaygofilms.com/movies/lounge_001.html - Meet Dawoud
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In Dawoud's words,,,
"When I am performing, or even just playing music for myself, I am most alive. Most aware. The very essence of reality itself is at my command; yet it is not necessary for me to do anything. The music plays itself. There is no more "I" for me to be concerned with. And I am at the point in my development where I can usually create any reaction in the consciousness of my audience at any time of my choosing.We are in a dark age, this kali yuga where human beings are statistics and commodities, where people are told they are free while being bought and sold like cattle, where generations of people know nothing beyond what the TV tells them, where science knows exactly how to exterminate entire cities but cannot know how to pray or be happy and content for five minutes, where human dignity is as unattainable as it is incomprehensible. Of what use are men and women who speak of absolute truths in such degenerate societies, where we cannot even be human?
This is why I chose the title Renegade Sufi.
The kings are in exile. Slaves sit upon their thrones and waste their kingdoms. But it won't last forever. It can't. We must be ready for that - and ready for what happens after that, when a new world is born.
